RNC Beating Rival for Election Funds

WASHINGTON – TheRepublican National Committee (search) began the month with a 6-to-1 financial advantage over its Democratic counterpart, with $16.5 million in the bank compared to theDemocratic National Committee's (search) $2.6 million.

The RNC raised $10.5 million in January, according to its monthly report to the Federal Election Commission. The GOP spent $8.7 million, including a $1 million transfer to Senate Republicans' fund-raising committee and nearly $1 million in telemarketing, according to an analysis by Political Money Line, a nonpartisan campaign finance tracking service.

The DNC raised $4.1 million last month, based on its FEC report. It spent $7.6 million, including a donation of $1.5 million to Virginia Lt. Gov.Timothy Kaine's (search) campaign for governor and a $1 million transfer to the Senate Democrats' fund-raising committee.

Among other party committees filing January reports this week:

— The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which raises money for House Democrats, began February with $11 million in debt from last year's elections. It had $1.5 million in the bank as this month began. The DCCC raised $1.5 million and spent $1.7 million in January.

— The National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's fund-raising committee, reported $2 million on hand. It raised $4.6 million and spent $5.8 million last month. The spending included $3.5 million on phone banks.